Temperature responsive measuring apparatus



May 23, 1950 E. M. SMITH TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE MEASURING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 13, 1944 INVENTOR. EDGAR M. SMITH FIGB ATTORNEY.

mama. May 23.1950

APPARATUS aura-m. smiui, Trenton, N. 1., ullgnor; by.

mesne assignments, to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minneapolis, Minn, a corporation of Delaware Application October 13, 1944, Serial No: 558,515

The present invention relates to potentiometric measuring apparatus including simple and efl'ec-- tive means for eiiecting its adjustment into difierent operative conditions, under which it is adapted to measure voltages of different sources of voltages in respectively different value ranges, in such manner as to effect a suppression scale diflerence between the measurements of thevoltages of the difierent sources in the diiierent value ranges. The term "scale suppression is used herein with a. meaning well known to the art. For example, ifa measuring instrument used in measuring the temperature of a thermocouple has its exhibiting element at the low end of its deflecting range for a thermocouple temperature of 500 in one operative condition, and is then adjusted into a second operative position in which the same position of the element corresponds to a thermocouple temperature of 1000, the adjustment produces a scale suppression" eflect of The present invention comprises improvements in the apparatus of the above mentioned character, disclosed and claimed in my prior copending application Serial No. 490,589, filed June 12, 1943, and in the Patent 2,364,923 granted Decemher 12, 1944, on said prior application. The apparatus illustrated and described in said prior application comprises a self-balancing potentiometric unit including a, pen carriage or other exhibiting element deflecting in accordance with the values of the quantities measured. Such a unit may be termeda multiple range potentiometer, as the relation between the deflective position of the exhibiting element and the value of the quantity measured is different in diflerent range adjustments or the unit. However, the purpose of each such adjustment is to produce, or to eliminate, a scale suppression effect, and not to vary the ratio of the change in the position oi the element to the corersponding change in the value of the quantity measured.

A major object oi. the present invention is to provide potentlometric measuring apparatus of the character disclosed in the above-mentioned patent with simple and eflective means for automatically eflecting cold junction temperature compensation in measuring, with a suppression scale range difference, the voltages of the thermocouples formed of different materials and requiring diflerent corrective effects to compensate for variations in their cold junction temperatures.

A iurther major object of the present invention is to provide apparatus or the above men- 3 Claims. (Ci- 73-341) tioned type including my improved cold junction temperature compensating means with simple means for recalibrating the potentiometric measurin'g circuit as required to compensate for variations in the voltage of the energizing battery of the circuit.

A more specific object 01' the present invention is to provide potentiometric measuring appara the thermocouple.

tus with which the above mentioned primary objects 01' the present invention are obtainable, which does not differ from apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned patent except in respect to the arrangement and character of the resistance sections included in the resistance section of the split potentiometer or bridge circuit of said apparatus.

As is well known in the art; the voltage of a thermocouple is a function of the diflerence between the hot and cold Junction temperatures of Ordinarily, the voltage. of a thermocouple is measured for the ultimate purpose of determining the temperature of the hot junction of the thermocouple. temperature compensation is customarily eil'ected in a potentiometer bridge circuit, by including in series in one branch of the circuit, a certain amount of resistancehaving a zero temperature coefficient and a certain amount of resistance having a positive temperature coeificient. To obtain accurate compensation in such manner,

it is essential that the resistance having a zero temperature coefllcient and the resistance having in uses, such as are herein contemplated, in

which thermocouples formed of'dliierent materials and having definitely different character-' istics are alternately connected into the potentiometric circuit network.

For example, in one contemplated use of the invention in the glass industry, one thermocouple is an Iron Constantan thermocouple subjected to temperatures varying from zero to 700 F., while the other thermocouple is a Platinum Rhodium thermocouple subjected to temperatures as high Cold junction 1 as 3000' F. That thermocouple at 800( P. will have about the same voltage as the Iron Constantan thermocouple at a temperature of 700 F.

In another contemplate use of the invention, an Iron Constantan thermocouple and a Chromel Alumel thermocouple are subject to maximum temperatures of 1500 F. and 2000 F.. respectively, and at those temperatures the voltages of the Iron Constantan and the Chromel Aiumel thermocouples are about the same. Those thermocouples also have about the same voltages when the Iron Constantan thermocouple temperature is 1000 F., and the Chrome] Alumel thermocouple temperature is about 1300 F.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, however, its advantages and specific objects obtained with its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments oi the invention.

01 the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating apotentiometric measuring circuit network and recording means;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view diagrammatically illustrating a portion of a potentiometric instrument adapted for use in connection with the circuit network and recording means diagrammatically shown in Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a modification of a portion of the apparatus shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1.

The potentiometric measuring circuit network shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1 includes a split potentiometer or bridge, a measuring branch, and a calibrating branch. The split potentiometer comprises an energizing branch, a slide wire resistance branch and a second resistance branch, the two resistance branches being connected in parallel with each other and in series with the energizing branch. The energizing branch includes a circuit energizing source of current I and an adjustable resistance 2. The slide wire resistance branch, in the form shown, comprises resistors 3, 4 and 5 connected in series with one another, and a resistance 5 connected in parallel with the resistor 4. The latter constitutes the slide wire resistance element of the network and is engaged by a slider or movable contact A adjustable along the length of the resistor a. The second resistance branch of the split potentiometer includes resistance sections or resistors l, 8, 8a, 9, l and Illa connected in series in the order stated between the positive and negative ends of the energizing branch of the circuit.

In its closed or operable condition, the measuring branch of the circuit network shown in Fig. 1 comprises a conductor H, a commutating or selector switch B, one or the other of the thermocouples F and ,f, depending upon the adjustment of the switch B, a conductor I2, a standardizing switch C, a galvanometer D, and a range shifting switch E. As diagrammatically shown, the selector switch B comprises contacts or blades l3 and I4 connected to the conductors H and I2, respectively, and comprises a pair of cooperating contacts I and I6 and a second pair of cooperating contacts I! and [8. The contacts and I6 are connected to the thermocouple F, and the contacts I! and I8 are connected to the terminals oi the thermocouple I.

As lhagrammatically shown, the switch B includes contacts I! and I4 adjustable into 0m.

position in which they connect the terminals I! and it of thermocouple F to the blades is and I4,

and thereby to the conductors II and II. The 5 contacts [3 and M are also adjustable into a second position in which they connect the terminals of the thermocouple f to the blades I3 and I4 and thereby to the conductors II and I2. The contacts 15 and I6 are connected to, and disconnected from the contacts l3 and It when the contacts I! and iii are respectively disconnected from and connected to the contacts II and M.

In the closed condition of the measuring branch of the network, the standardizing switch 0 is in the position in which it engages a switch contact 0' which is connected by the conductor l2 to the switch contact 14. The galvanometer D has one terminal connected to the switch 0 and normally has its second terminal connectedeither to the positive terminal of the resistor 8 or the negative terminal of the resistor 8a, accordingly as the acUustment of the range shifting switch E is such that it engages one or the other of switch contacts E and E the contact E being connected to the positive terminal of the resistor 8, and the contact E being connected to the negative terminal of the resistor Ba. Theresistors 8 and 8:: may be referred to as scale suppression resistors, since when the switch engages the contact E, the measurements effected are in a different range from that including the measurements eiiected when the switch E engages the contact E.

In the closed condition of the calibration branch of the network shown in Fig. 1, the standardizing switch 0 is in the position in which it engages the contact 0*. Said branch comprises the switch E, the galvanometer D, the switch C, the switch contact 0*, a standard cell So, a resistance l9, and a calibration range switch e. The latter is normally in engagement with a con tact a connected to the positive terminal of the resistor S0, or in engagement with a contact e" connected to the negative terminal of the resistor [0a, accordingly as the switch E engages the contact E or contact E respectively. To this end, the switches E and e may be mechanically interconnected as by means of an element Ee. In practice, also, the switch. E and contacts 53' and id of switch B may be mechanically connected by an element BE, so that when the thermocouple j is connected in the measuring branch of the circuit, the switch E will engage the contact 55 E, and so that when the switch E engages the I contact E the thermocouple F will be connected in said measuring branch.

On the assumption that the thermocouples F and I have the polarities indicated in Fig. l and are subjected to similar temperatures and generate the same E. M. F. when similarly heated, the position of the contact A along the slidewire resistance 4 at which the potentiometer will be balanced when the switches B and E are adjusted to connect the thermocouple F and the switch contact E into the measuring circuit, will be to the right of the position at which potentiometer balance is established when the thermocouple replaces the thermocouple F in the measuring circuit and the switch E engages the contact E. This results from the fact that the potential of the switch contact E is higher than that of the contact E In consequence, under conditions in which the same E. M. F is developed by each thermocouple, the potential asoaoee oi'each terminal of the thermocouple F when connected in the measuring circuit is lower than the potential of the corresponding terminal 01' the thermocouple 1 when the latter is connected in the measuring circuit.

In Fig. 1, record lines are made on a traveling 8 'sistance value and a proper temperature coeill-' record chart strip G by a pen, print wheel, or

other marking element 9 adjusted in proportion to the adjustment of the contact A along the slide wire resistance 4. As diagrammatically shown in Fig. l, the recording element a and the contact A are mechanically connected so that they have similar movements longitudinally of the resistance 4. However, the marking element a and slide wire contact A may be relatively movable and be given proportional movements as are the slide wire contact AA and pen GA of the well known commercial type of instrument shown in Fig. 2, and more fully disclosed in various prior patents including Patent 2,150,502 of March 14. I939.

On the chart G shown in Fig. 1, the line GF' is a record of the voltage of the thermocouple F,

and the line of is a record of the voltage of the thermocouple 1. As shown, the said lines are consistent with the assumptions that the voltages of the thermocouples F and f vary similarly and are equal at all times, and that the lateral displacement of the two record lines on the chart G is wholly due to the suppression scale diflerenoe between the measurements of the two thermocouple voltages. Stated difierently, the lateral displacement of the two record lines GF and g is due to the fact that when the voltage of the thermocouple f is being measured, the scale suppression resistors 8 and 8a produce a measuring scale suppression action which is not produced in the measurement of the voltage orthe thermocouple F.

While it is obviously possible to manually adjust the switches B and E to alternately measure and record the temperature of the thermocouples F and ,f as just described, in practice mechanism may well be providedfor automatically adjusting the commutating switch 3, and thereby the mechanically connected switch E, so as to suecessively measure the temperatures of the thermocouples F and j at regular intervals. The use of such mechanism in a Brown potentiometer which measures a pluralityof the thermocouple temperatures successively at regular intervals is shown in the above mentioned Patent 2,150,502.

In so far as above described, the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 does not difier from apparatus disclosed in my previously mentioned prior application, except that in the prior application the resistance branch of the split potentiometer does not include resistors corresponding to the resistors 8a and We of Fig. 1, although it does include resistors corresponding to the resistor sections 1, 8, 9 and I0 of that figure.

In accordance with the present invention, the resistors l, Gcand we of Fig. 1 may be formed of material, such as nickel, having a suitable positive temperature coefllcient. The remaining resistors 8, 9 and I0 are preferably each formed of material having a zero temperature coeficient.

' In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, the thermocouple 1 requires less cold junction temperature compensation than does the thermocouple F. In consequence, the thermocouple is the thermocouple operatively connected into the potentiometer network by the switch E when the latter engages switch contact E, and resistance section I should be so chosen as to have a reclent inrelatlontothe aggregateresistance or the resistors or resistance sections I, I, lo, I, II and Ila, to provide the cold junction temperature compensation needed for the thermocouple 1. When the switch E engages the contact I! and operatively connects the thermocouple F into the potentiometrlc network, the sum of the resistance of sections I, l and la should be so chosen as to have an aggregate resistance value and the proper temperature coefllcient relation to the aggregate resistance of the sections 1, 8, la,

I, ll and Ma to provide the cold junction temperature compensation needed for the thermocouple F. The magnitudes of the variousresistance sections 1, 8, la, 8, Ill and Illa suitable for the cold junction compensation purposes of the present invention, may be determined by the use of principles of design and formulae which are well known and are commonly used in providing the cold junction temperature compensation required in a single range potentiometer, and hence need not be further described or explained herein.

For the purposes of cold junction temperature compensation, the relative magnitudes of the resistance sections 9, l0 and I 0a is of no consequence. For the recalibration purposes which may be effected with the Fig. l arrangement, however, it is essential that the magnitudes of each of the resistance sections 0, l0 and Illa should be properly proportioned relatively to one another and to the magnitudes of the resistance sections 1, 8 and 8a as follows:

The resistances 8 and I0 should be equal in magnitude; the resistances 0a and Illa should be equal in magnitude; and the sum of the resistances 8, 8a and 9 should be equal to the sum of the resistances 9, I0 and I041.

With the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 and the resistance values just stated, calibration practically satisfactory for most conditions of use is obtainable. The fact that the resistance of the resistance sections 8a and Ma vary with changes in the ambient temperature, prevents the calibration from being wholly accurate when the ambient temperature is subject to change. In many cases, however, the calibration error due to ambient temperature change can be kept within acceptably small limits, by making the change in the relative resistances of resistors 8a and flu due to ambient temperature changes, suitably cluded in the resistance branch and have positive temperature coefilcients, by making use of the modified circuit arrangement shown in Fig. 3. That arrangement diflers essentially from the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, in that it omits the switch e of Fig. l, and in that it includes a switch EA which is in series with the galvanom eter D and switch C, and is adjustable between one position'in which it engages a stationary contact E and a second position in which it engages a contact E. In the measuring condition of the apparatus, the switch EA engages the contact E and thereby connects the-switch E in series with the galvanometer D and switch 0, and the latter engages the stationary contact 0'. In the recalibration condition oi the apparatus, theswitch between the negative terminal of the resistance la and the switch C, and the switch C then engages the contact In the Fig. 3 arrangement, the resistance branch of the potentiometer bridge circuit differs from the corresponding circuit branch of Fig. 1 in that the separate resistorsa, l0 and Illa of Fig. 1 are replaced in Fig. 3 by a single resistor So having a zero temperature coeificient and having a resistance which may be approximately equal to the sum of the resistances of the resistors 8, l0 and Ilia at the average ambient tempera ture. If the resistance of 9a is large as it should be in comparison with the sum of the resistances of the resistors I, -8 and 8a, the accuracy of the calibration will not be affected by the small changes in the small resistances I and 8a due to the usual changes in the ambient temperature.

While, in accordance with the provisions of the statutes, I have illustrated and described the best forms of embodiment of my invention now known to me, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made in the forms of a the voltage of one thermocclple than in the voltage of the second thermocouple, with scale suppression and cold junction temperature compensation differences between the measurements, said circuit including a slide wire resistance, a, resistor having a resistance which varies with its temperature, and resistance material in series with said resistor and varying in resistance with its temperature, a source of current and an adjustable resistance included in said circuit and creating regulable current flows through said slide wire resistance and through said resistor and resistance material, a contact adjustable along said slide wire resistance, a current responsive device, two thermocouples and means for connecting said thermocouples one at a time in said circuit in series with said device between said contact and said resistance material, said one thermocouple being connectable to said resistance material at the end of the latter remote from said'resistor, so

that the voltage of said one thermocouple and that said second thermocouple and said current 6 source tend to produce current flows in opposite directions through said resistor, the variations in resistance of said resistor and resistance material 8 due to ambient temperature lated to the changes in the voltages of said thermocouples produced by their respective cold junction temperature changes resulting from said ambient temperature changes as to compensate for variations in the cold junction temperature of each thermocoupl when that thermocouple is connected in said measuring circuit.

2. A potentiometric measuring circuit as specifled in claim 1, including additional resistance in series with said resistor and resistance material, and including calibrating means comprising a standard cell and means for operatively disconnecting said current responsive device from said thermocouples and for operatively connecting said device and said cell in series with one another between the terminals 01' said additional resistance.

3. A potentiometric measuring circuit for measuring the voltages of two thermocouples differing so that similar variations in their cold junction temperatures produce a greater difference in the voltage of one thermocouple than in th voltage of the second thermocouple, with scale suppression and cold junction temperature compensation differences between the measurements, said circuit comprising an energizing branch including a source of current, a second branch including a slide wire resistance and a third branch including first, second and third resistance elements, said elements being connected in series with one another with said second element intermediate said first and third elements, each of said second and third circuit branches being connected in parallel with the other and in series with said energizing branch, a contact adjustable along said slide wire sistance in response to ambient temperaturechanges in amount so related to the variations in voltages of the two thermocouples resulting from variations in their respective cold junction temperature due to the said ambient temperature changes, as to compensate for the efiect of said ambient temperature on the voltage of each of said thermocouples when connected in said measuring circuit.

EDGAR M SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,443,553 Allcutt Jan. 30, 1923 1,982,053 Hodgson et al. Nov. 2'7, 1934 2,344,116 Ullman Mar. 14, 1944 2,364,923 Smith Dec. 12, 1944 changes being re- 

